1 Urgency

Niki had bought a new laptop and phone with cash, she has a new email and will get a new number at the airport when she lands. She even made arrangements with an old friend of her father's to encrypt every communication she ever made with a virus. He was kind enough to help her out with some other things too, like changing banks untraceably.

She put most of her things in storage last week, he'll catch on soon - she has to move fast.

Niki packs her bags with shaking hands, tears flow down her cheeks - even though she's not out rightly crying. Every item is accounted for by her second day of packing; she'll be paying for two extra suitcases, but none of that matters.

She has to leave!

The last problem is her purchase of plane tickets. He will be able to track that, but she'll make it as difficult as possible. She even chose a foreclosing air-company and a crazy flight schedule in the hopes their records might be a little more jumbled.

Niki doesn't dare stop at her mother's grave. It's too risky - he might be waiting there.

It might just be paranoia, but Niki knows not to bet on that small chance.

She's running.

Why go through all this trouble?

Because she can't defend herself anymore.

She lost it - the light in her eyes - all gone. Martial arts achievements, competitive shooting, self-defense prowess - none of that matters if you can't see the attacker across the room.

Niki will go to the only people she still trusts. Thankfully he doesn't know about them.

The last thing Niki does on American soil is place a bundle of flowers in the dirt off the freeway.

Niki will start over - she has to.